From: Paul Tritton, Hon. Press Officer Email: [email protected]. Tel: 01622 741198 Issued July 25 2014

Preparing for invasion at Allhallows and Grain

Reconstruction drawing by Chris Forsey of a gun battery at Slough Fort.

An opportunity to enjoy guided tours of invasion defences on ’s and the - an area rich in military history - has been arranged by the Kent Archaeological Society, the Friends of Grain Coastal Park and Bourne Leisure.

As seen recently on BBC Four’s ‘The Flying Archaeologist,’ the area bristles with mysterious remains of forts and other installations erected over a period of 150 years.

The event, on Saturday 25th October 2014, will begin at 10.45 am at Slough Fort, Allhallows-on- Sea, built in 1867 to stop French (and later German) invaders from storming ashore and racing across the Peninsula to capture .

Victor Smith, chairman of the KAS’s Historic Defences Committee, will describe work-in-progress on the restoration of the fort’s massive gun emplacements and explain how the guns could be aimed at warships approaching up the Thames.

Victor will also describe the workings of the earlier ‘pop up’ guns which rose up to fire and recoiled back down for concealment. One of the emplacements for these can still be seen.

Abandoned for many years, and recently used as a caravan park, the fort is being cleared of debris and undergrowth by community archaeologists and contractors for its owners, Bourne Leisure,

Founded 1857 Registered Charity No: 223382

www.kentarchaeology.org.uk

www.kentarchaeology.ac In the afternoon there will be a walk through Grain Coastal Park, with verdant trails and fine river views. Michael Dale will describe the rich history and many curiosities of this former military landscape, and the guns that could ‘cross-fire’ with those at Sheerness to defend the River Medway.

Details of the event can be found at http://kenthistoricdefences.wordpress.com/diary/. To book a place, telephone Craig Austin at Bourne Leisure on 01634 270385 or email craig.austin@bourne- leisure.co.uk . Tickets cost £5, payable on arrival.

The KAS Historic Defences Committee is a new group that will work with like-minded individuals and organizations to search for relics and records of Kent’s fortifications dating from the Bronze Age to the Cold War. Contact Victor Smith at [email protected] for more details, including opportunities for volunteers.

For KAS membership details visit http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk

One of the gun emplacements that visitors to Slough Fort will visit.

Victor Smith, chairman of the KAS’s Historic Defences Committee, pictured at New Tavern Fort, Gravesend.

Note to editor: for JPEGs of the above images contact Paul Tritton at [email protected]

Founded 1857 Registered Charity No: 223382 www.kentarchaeology.org.uk www.kentarchaeology.ac2